New Sensations

When I left the office yesterday evening it was wet out, nothing noteworthy but just the odd sprink to remind me that we live on the wet coast of Canada. That said, I found the overcast skies and damp air comforting, it was like putting on a pair of sunglasses after walking into a blinding sun for hours on end. Soothing.

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Yesterday was also the first time that I tried out my new marathon shoes, the Saucony Fastwitch 3. Running home, I feel self-conscious at the best of times when I leave work, but wearing new shoes only drew attention in an building where my skinny legs are already an oddity.

As I jogged through Fairfield and toward Oak Bay, I welcomed the feather-like feeling. What I didn’t enjoy was the every-so-slight pressure on my left achilles, entirely unsolicited. The w/o passed quickly, and I found myself running out of room as I approached home. I made a concerted effort to keep my exertion under control, but on more than one occasion couldn’t help but get swept along to the gentle ‘tick’ of my feet leaving the road.

Once home I iced my achilles and opted to run today in my well worn (1,200+ km) Asics. Achilles still tender.

This weekend was supposed to be my last marathon pace session, 3x10km descending to MP. Given that I haven’t raced in three months, I’ve decided to run the Lands End Half Marathon instead. I figure the increased speed will make up for that lack of distance. Regardless, I give my Fastwitch another go, hopefully breaking them in rather than the alternative. If I survive, and the shoes don’t, I’m at a loss come race day. I loved the original Fastwitch.

Training:

Wednesday: 1:16:37 with 10x2’ (1’)

Thursday: easy 50:15

Applications are running slower than usual

Yesterday I found myself wallowing in a shallow pit of sluggish misery. It was approaching 10:30 a.m. and I was mechanically nursing a third cup of coffee. The usual enjoyable nectar had become nothing more than sustenance. As I unconsciously raised my mug and took a sip, the blackness rolled over my taste buds providing… nothing, all enjoyment was gone. Now where is the fun in that?

Ally told me that she suspected Isla was getting sick, which was all the reasoning I need to convince myself that my preparation was doomed. I was done. The fact that last week’s mileage hadn’t seen such heights since the spring of '07 had nothing to do with my new reality. Nor did the accompanying fact that Sunday’s three-hour jaunt was still fresh in my legs. Nope, this fickle runner had thrown in the towel.

And so with nothing to lose, I went home that evening and made some French onion soup, complete with Gruyére and a bottle of white wine. I love slow food.

Fast-forward a few hours and I found myself reining the legs in on my jaunt to work. It’s becoming noticeably darker in the mornings, but this morning’s pale shroud was comforting. And as I clipped through Cedar Hill, a stride that I’d feared lost was found.

Tomorrow I use me new marathon shoes, the Saucony Fastwitch… no brakes!

Training:

Monday: day off (scheduled)

Tuesday: A.M. steady 53:50, P.M. easy 44:18

Royal Victoria Marathon (5-weeks out)

Consider the last seven days starched, folded and sealed in the bag… and this Glenmorangie never tasted so good.

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What was supposed to be a week that saw the second highest volume in this marathon build went surprisingly well, particularly with Ally out of town for five days. In the end, I ran 90” more than I had three weeks ago and due to the rounding, squeaked out an additional kilometre topping off the week at 142km.

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Friday’s double was rushed and with the weather we’ve been experiencing the last few days I felt decidedly parched. The fatigue from Thursday’s session was definitely there during my morning jaunt but somewhat removed come the afternoon.

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On Saturday, I benefited from having a wonderful friend look after Isla while I snuck out for a run in the morning; Jaymie I owe you huge! The run itself was uneventful and I was surprised again, at how sluggish I felt. I was also surprised at just how far one can travel in roughly 80’. I think it’s time to make sure that I stay on top of the training from here on in.

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After two days where my energy level had been left wanting, and the legs heavy, I didn’t quite know what to expect this morning. So, for the first time this year, I grabbed my ipod and after selectively loading nothing but high energy songs, I set out the door into the unknown. Sadly, I returned 6’ later as the new shoes I had purchased earlier in the week were giving me grief (I exchanged them for a new pair later that afternoon). And so it was, with boots that have seen 1,200 km if not more, I headed back out the door and into the now familiar.

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From my place, it was out around Rithet’s Bog to Elk and Thetis Lake, returning via the trails at Camosun College. With time still to spare, I opted to run Blenkinsop and was surprised at how good my legs felt running up a mile long hill… after 2h40+ of running.

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With four weeks until race day, this will be my last long run as I’m participating in a half marathon next weekend after which it’ll be all down hill from there. I tried the Cliff Shot Bloks again and I’ve decided to use them for the race, that and water. And so it appears that all the pieces are slowly coming into place. All I need now is to sharpen up my legs, and have the wind at my back on October 11^th.

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Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend ~ cheers

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Training:

Friday: A.M. easy 46:11, P.M. steady 59:15

Saturday: steady 1:18:31

Sunday: easy 2:54:14

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Weekly mileage: 10h03’08”, +/- 142k or 89 miles

Mr. Mom

My legs ache, I’m tired and I still have to make tomorrow’s lunch. Luckily, Isla is asleep, I’m imbibing a cold beer, and the week’s main workout is now behind me.

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With Ally away in Edmonton all week, I’ve had to adjust to a new routine not entirely of my own making. I have a new respect for single parents.

My day now consists of waking up at midnight, 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. before finally beginning the day just before 6:00. Warm-up some of yesterday’s coffee (sacrilegious I know), getting dressed, packing my day bag, waking Isla up (she’s slept in all week… a blessing). Changing and dressing Isla. Feeding Isla. Changing Isla again. Grabbing baby, day bag, her day bag and keys before piling into the car. Running back into the house after forgetting Isla’s lunch. Drop Isla off at daycare. Drive to work. Run. Shower. Work. Pick Isla up. Feed, play and change Isla, while making both of our lunches. Throw two loads of laundry into washer. Water lawn. Read to Isla, before putting her to bed. Sit down, enjoy cold beer. Miss Ally.

With my legs feeling lethargic after Sunday’s (unplanned) up-tempo run, I decided to bump Tuesday’s scheduled w/o to Thursday. So it was that after a short warm-up, I found myself in Beacon Hill Park and about to begin my last significant MP session.

I felt smooth for the first mile, passing in 6:02, but then began a rough patch. Are you allowed rough patches that early? It took my until about the 10k marker until I settled into a comfortable rhythm and rode out the remaining miles. Given the early (4:00 a.m.) start to the day, I was pleased. And now bed.

Training:

Monday: easy 34:55

Tuesday: easy 1:20:27

Wednesday: steady 50:54

Thursday: 1:18:41 with 15k MP 56:42

Royal Victoria Marathon (6-weeks out)

As far as rest/recovery weeks go, the last seven days were satisfying. With Monday off, I managed to keep my running reigned in for the next four days. I think an honest litmus test is the fact that I’m now extremely eager to resume the training, a comforting (and all too often rare) feeling passing through the half way point of the marathon program.

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We were off to Galiano Island for the long weekend, which meant I was out the door exceptionally early on Saturday. After a short jog down an eerie and dank Lochside Trail, I popped up onto the embankment overlooking the Blenkinsop Valley, to see Ian and Aseed warming up for our early morning session. My w/o had called for 6x1200 at 5kP but with time pressing I decided to adapt and instead ran the intervals on Donwood Crescent, a route I used once before while tapering for Boston. At that time, I was feeling uninterested, tired and unsure of my training. If nothing else, when comparing my present state of mind it couldn’t be more like chalk and cheese.

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With no time for a real warm-up, we started into the first interval. Within the first few strides, I knew I was running too quickly and really struggled to slow down. The feeling was butter… incredible. I quickly gapped Aseed, and was surprised to find myself running stride for stride with Ian up the only incline. Upon finishing the 1100m loop, I was stunned to see my time of 3:25, 15” faster than what I had expected.

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On April 8^th, I ran 4x Donwood with the laps passing in: 3:37, 3:37, 3:36 and 3:35.

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This time around, they were drastically different: 3:25, 3:26, 3:33, 3:31, 3:31 and 3:39.

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This week is going to be busy, what with Ally out of town until Saturday evening; I don’t know if I should feel more sorry for Isla or me. Currently, and it’s only 8:30 p.m., she went down without a peep. To make the next few days that much more entertaining, this week is supposed to see my second highest volume in preparation for RVM. Wish me luck.

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Training:

Thursday: easy 43:41

Friday: steady 54:55

Saturday: 1:08:52 w/ 6x Donwood (2.5’) 5kP

Sunday: quite strong/undulating 1:13:15

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Weekly mileage: 5h21’39”, +/- 75k or 47 miles

State of Play

My running the last two days has been almost as good as the two chip butties I had for dinner (something I reserve only for recovery weeks).

Yesterday, it was: out the door, along the Songhees boardwalk, through Dockside Green, down the Galloping Goose and home.

Today, much the same: out the door, along the Songhees boardwalk, through Dockside Green, down the Galloping Goose and home. Only this time I stopped to grab a flic and four Speckled (something that is bordering on routine when Ally works late).

The legs felt as if they had a low voltage electric current running through them on Monday and Tuesday, I’m assuming residue from Saturday’s workout. Today, amongst a multitude of meetings, I managed to sneak in a massage with Janet… the pins feel better.

Training:

Monday: day off (scheduled)

Tuesday: easy 42:41

Wednesday: easy 38:15

Royal Victoria Marathon (7-weeks out)

My last week of running rounded out nicely, what with two decent workouts, one of which had me running close to 25k at marathon pace. Still, tonight as I sit at my desk and type, I’m happy that the week ahead has been reserved for recovery (rest, it out of my control).

Yesterday’s workout was the second of three real tests in this marathon build. The plan was to run 5x5k starting at 90% MP and descend down to the real deal (20:00, 19:45, 19:30, 19:15 & 19:00). Unfortunately, I need work on my execution.

As mentioned previously I decided to run the session on the Lochside Trail, between markers 14 and 19. Starting at 14, gives you two kilometres to nail the pace (the markers exist) but then you’re running blind until the finish at 19. I began what I thought was conservatively, but opened in a 3:45. I nailed the second kilometre but obviously, wound things back up finishing in 19:14.

The way back is ever so slightly uphill, or at least that’s how it felt, and I thought this would take the edge off my hot feet. I really wanted to run a controlled second interval, as I knew going too fast would open the doors to an ugly last 10k-15k. Sadly, despite feeling very comfortable and relaxed my legs had a pace of their own and my fate was sealed… it was after passing through 12k and remarking how easy things felt that I decided to roll with the punches (19:09, 18:58).

I overcooked the forth interval, ‘nough said (18:45), and with the legs feeling heavy and my turnover forced I purposefully reigned in the effort on the last one (18:53). I’m really happy with how the workout unfolded. I think this build has the least number of workouts compared with prior programs so the emphasis needs to be on quality.

If I did one thing right this weekend it was making sure today’s run was easy, very easy; my legs felt great.

As for our night away at the Sooke Harbour House, it might go down as one of my more relaxing birthday gifts ever… thoroughly enjoyable!

Training:

Sunday: easy 56:50

Weekly mileage: 8h57’55”, +/- 127k or 79 miles